NOVEL WEB Chapter 277: Chapter 277: Who is it?
This training was difficult—yet also very simple.
What made it difficult was the intensity; what made it simple was the process.
The core of the entire training lay in the mechanical pillars erected on either side of Tang San and the others.
Each pillar stood about two meters tall and roughly fifty centimeters in diameter, designed in a heavy metallic style that exuded futuristic technology.
From the circuit-like engravings to the flickering indicator lights, everything about them felt foreign to Tang San and his companions.
But what intrigued them most was the display screen positioned at eye level on the mechanical column.
Because with just a few adjustments from Xiao Tianyang, the gravity in their immediate surroundings instantly intensified!
It was as if an invisible mountain had descended upon them—crushing down on their heads, pressing against their shoulders, bending their spines, and weighing heavily on their legs!
Yet, the most torturous part wasn't the sheer oppression itself.
No—what truly tormented them was the slow, deliberate increase in pressure, gradually amplifying across their bodies.
With each passing second, they could feel their muscles stretching, their skin tightening, their bones shifting under the strain, and their blood surging faster through their veins!
This was one of the reasons they were in such a sorry state.
Unlike ordinary weight, this gravity didn't just press down—it suppressed them from the inside out.
But remembering Xiao Tianyang's earlier words, none of them dared to collapse again.
Ten minutes had already passed.
This was their best record so far.
Just as Xiao Tianyang was about to encourage them to push further, Tai Long came running over and called out, "Tianyang! Someone's looking for you outside!"
"Do you know who it is?" Xiao Tianyang turned his head and paused when he saw Tai Long winking at him.
Then, understanding dawned. Xiao Tianyang nodded at Tai Long before glancing back at Tang San and the others.
"Take a break for now. I'll be back shortly."
With that, he pressed a button on the remote at his waist—and in the next instant, the oppressive force vanished.
Tang San and the others immediately crumpled to the ground.
The three girls, concerned about their image, managed to stay upright—but they had endured eight minutes longer than the boys, leaving their bodies even more exhausted.
That was why it took them so much effort just to sit down.
Seeing that they were fine, Xiao Tianyang turned to leave.
But just then—Ning Rongrong suddenly lunged forward and wrapped her arms around his neck from behind, clinging to him like a koala.
Before Xiao Tianyang could speak, she narrowed her eyes at Tai Long and demanded, "Tell me—is it a girl who came looking for him?"
Tai Long hesitated, visibly flustered.
Xiao Tianyang sighed internally. 'Brother, could you be any more obvious? Your face might as well be a billboard at this point.'
Any lingering hope of keeping things under wraps was now gone.
"Can you get down first?" Xiao Tianyang patted her hand. "Whoever it is, it's probably related to the competition. Why are you so worked up?"
"Hmph! Everyone knows you're a magnet for trouble!" Ning Rongrong bit his shoulder lightly. "I don't even need to look—it's either Huo Wu or Shui Bing'er, isn't it?"
"Wow, what a sharp guess," Xiao Tianyang deadpanned, rolling his eyes before turning to Tai Long. "Who is it?"
Seeing no point in hiding it now, Tai Long answered bluntly, "Huo Wu."
Ning Rongrong's grip tightened. "And you still dare say you have nothing to do with her? She's coming to find you right to our faces—"
Her voice dripped with resentment, as if Xiao Tianyang had committed some grave betrayal.
"Relax, she probably just has business with me. It's not as dramatic as you're imagining." Xiao Tianyang tried to soothe her. "Besides, if I really had something to hide, would I meet her right in front of you?"
"Oh? So you'd rather meet her in private?" Zhu Zhuqing's cool voice cut in as she appeared on Xiao Tianyang's other side.
At the same time, Saber—who had been quietly observing—stood up with an amused smirk.
"I think it's necessary to remind outsiders that Tianyang isn't up for grabs." She tilted her head. "Right?"
Xiao Tianyang groaned. "Why are you all ganging up on me? And isn't it unfair to jump to conclusions before even hearing why she's here?"
"Then let's all go together," Ning Rongrong challenged. "Unless you've got something to hide."
Xiao Tianyang scoffed. "I've got nothing to fear. Let's go!"
With that, he strode forward confidently—Only for Ning Rongrong's arms to suddenly give out, sending her tumbling face-first into the dirt like a limp rag.
"Xiao Tianyang!!" Ning Rongrong glared up at him indignantly. Was it too much to ask for him to catch her?
Xiao Tianyang glanced at Zhu Zhuqing and Saber—both equally drained and unmoving—and couldn't help but smirk.
"If you can't walk, then don't push yourselves. I'll go alone." Xiao Tianyang waved without looking back. "See you later!"
Ning Rongrong made to protest, but Saber stopped her. "Don't worry. He knows his limits."
Pausing, she added with a light smile, "We should use this time to rest. Otherwise, we won't have the energy to continue training."
Reluctantly, Ning Rongrong agreed—though her frustration was palpable.
After all, watching Xiao Tianyang go meet another girl was not easy to stomach.
Then again, even the usually composed Saber had reacted. So Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong's behavior was understandable.
Notably, Tang San and the others hadn't lifted their heads to watch the commotion.
They were simply too exhausted.
But this didn't mean Ning Rongrong's stamina surpassed theirs.
Part of the reason was that Xiao Tianyang had deliberately pushed Tang San's group harder.
The other part?
Unlike the girls, Tang San and the others had been training in horse stance—making their ordeal far more grueling.
Of course, even if they had seen the scene, they wouldn't have thought much of it.
Aside from Tang San, both Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun were seasoned experts in matters of the heart.
They could easily read the dynamics between their teammates.
And if anything, their only emotion would be envy.
A harem like Xiao Tianyang's? That was the stuff of dreams.
But beyond envy, there was also a hint of admiration—especially from Dai Mubai.
Having spent the most time with the Shrek Seven Monsters, he knew Ning Rongrong's fiery temper and Zhu Zhuqing's icy aloofness all too well.
Yet Xiao Tianyang had somehow won over both—without sparking any rivalry between them. In fact, their relationship was harmonious.
That skill alone made Dai Mubai admit defeat.
…
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